Gerardo Bruna
{{short description|Argentine professional footballer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{family name hatnote|Bruna|Blanco|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Gerardo Bruna
| image = Gerardo Bruna (cropped).jpg
| caption = Bruna playing for Derry City in 2019
| fullname = Gerardo Alfredo Bruna Blanco
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|01|29|df=y}}
| birth_place = Mendoza, Argentina
| height = 1.80 m
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2002–2007
| youthclubs1 = Real Madrid
| youthyears2 = 2007–2008
| youthclubs2 = Liverpool
| years1 = 2008–2011
| clubs1 = Liverpool
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2011–2013
| clubs2 = Blackpool
| caps2 = 2
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2013–2014
| clubs3 = Huesca
| caps3 = 17
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2014
| clubs4 = Tranmere Rovers
| caps4 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2014
| clubs5 = Whitehawk
| caps5 = 5
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2015–2016
| clubs6 = Accrington Stanley
| caps6 = 9
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2016–2018
| clubs7 = Ottawa Fury
| caps7 = 37
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2016
| clubs8 = → Ottawa Fury Academy
| caps8 = 3
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2019–2020
| clubs9 = Derry City
| caps9 = 33
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2021
| clubs10 = Shelbourne
| caps10 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2022–2023
| clubs11 = Dungannon Swifts
| caps11 = 20
| goals11 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2008
| nationalteam1 = Spain U17
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2009
| nationalteam2 = Argentina U20
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 9th June 2023
| nationalteam-update = 26th February 2012
}}
Gerardo Alfredo Bruna Blanco{{cite web |title = Premier League clubs submit squad lists |url = http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2142220,00.html |publisher = premierleague.com |access-date = 2 August 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100904034333/http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0%2C%2C12306~2142220%2C00.html |archive-date = 4 September 2010 |df = dmy}} (born 29 January 1991) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.
He was on the books of Real Madrid and Liverpool as a teenager but never made a senior appearance for either club. He has spent most of his career in the lower leagues of England and Spain, moving frequently.
Born in Argentina and raised in Spain, Bruna first represented Spain at a youth international level, before switching to represent his native Argentina.
Club career
=Youth career=
Bruna spent five years in the youth set-up at Real Madrid from 2002 to 2007.{{cite web |title=Gerardo Alfredo Bruna Blanco |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/first-team/player/gerardo-alfredo-bruna-blanco |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |access-date=26 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225034926/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/first-team/player/gerardo-alfredo-bruna-blanco |archive-date=25 February 2012 }}
In the summer of 2007 Bruna moved to England to sign for Liverpool, having been offered and turned down a professional contract by Real Madrid.{{cite news|last=Hodges|first=Vicki|title=Real Madrid slam Liverpool for Bruna signing|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2325842/Real-Madrid-slam-Liverpool-for-Bruna-signing.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=26 February 2012|date=15 November 2007}}
"My father agreed with me that moving here would be a great opportunity. I already knew about Liverpool from the Champions League, the final we won and the final we lost. These games, as well as the Chelsea semi-finals, made a big impression on me." A left-footer with a talent for set pieces, he learnt his trade with the reserves, helping them to win the Premier Reserve League in 2007–08.
=Blackpool=
Bruna joined Championship side Blackpool on a two-year deal, with an option for a further 12 months, on 17 July 2011.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/9542133.stm | work=BBC Sport | title=Blackpool sign Liverpool's Bruna | date=18 July 2011}} He made his competitive debut as a substitute in the League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on 11 August 2011.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14398745.stm | work = BBC Sport | title = Sheffield Wednesday 0–0 Blackpool (4–2 penalties) | date = 11 August 2011 | access-date = 11 August 2011 }} He made his Football League debut in a 2–1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on 22 October, coming on as a late substitute.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/15319684.stm | work = BBC Sport | title = Blackpool 1 – 2 Nott'm Forest | date = 22 October 2011 | access-date = 22 October 2011 }}
With four total appearances to his name, Bruna was released by Blackpool on 9 May 2013.[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/22465800 Thomas Ince & Matt Phillips: Blackpool take up one-year options]; BBC Sport, 9 May 2013
=Huesca=
On 20 September 2013 Bruna joined SD Huesca, freshly relegated to Segunda División B.[http://www.aragondigital.es/noticia.asp?notid=112104 Bruna, un lujo para la S.D. Huesca (Bruna, a luxury for S.D. Huesca)]; Aragón Digital, 20 September 2013 {{in lang|es}} He played 17 games for the Aragonese club, scoring one goal.
=Tranmere Rovers=
Bruna played in a number of pre-season friendlies for League Two club Tranmere Rovers in the summer of 2014, before picking up an injury.{{cite news | url =http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/tranmere-rovers-ready-offer-short-term-7580748 | newspaper = Liverpool Echo| title = Tranmere Rovers ready to offer short-term deal to Gerardo Bruna | date = 7 August 2014 | access-date = 15 September 2014}} He was then offered a one-month contract by the club.{{cite news | url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28709245 | work = BBC Sport| title = Tranmere Rovers sign Gerardo Bruna and Matt Hill | date = 8 August 2014 | access-date = 15 September 2014}} He made his only appearance for the club as a substitute in a league cup match{{cite news | url =http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/tranmere-crash-out-league-cup-7604245 | newspaper = Liverpool Echo | title = Tranmere crash out of League Cup but take plenty of positives from defeat | date = 12 August 2014 | access-date = 15 September 2014}} but was not offered a long-term contract.
=Whitehawk=
Bruna signed a one-month contract with Whitehawk, who then played in England's 6th tier, with the option to extend by the club depending on performances.{{Cite web|url=http://www.planetafichajes.net/2014/10/el-ex-del-liverpool-gerardo-bruno-ficha.html|title=El ex del Liverpool, Gerardo Bruna, ficha por el Whitehawk|first=Jon|last=Espiga}} The signing of Bruna was described as a "massive coup" as Bruna had previously played for clubs such as Real Madrid and Liverpool.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/latest-transfer-news/impressive-capture-for-hawks-with-bruna-signing.html |title=Impressive Capture for Hawks with Bruna Signing |access-date=9 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110014257/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/latest-transfer-news/impressive-capture-for-hawks-with-bruna-signing.html |archive-date=10 November 2014 |url-status=usurped }} Bruna scored his first goal for Whitehawk in a 5–1 victory over Chelmsford City.{{Cite web |url=http://whitehawkfc.com/match/850/ |title=- Whitehawk FC |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033836/http://whitehawkfc.com/match/850/ |url-status=dead }}
=Accrington Stanley=
In January 2015, Bruna joined League Two club Accrington Stanley.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/accrington_stanley/news/11768137.why-accrington-stanleys-new-signing-turned-down-real-madrid-contract/|title=Why Accrington Stanley's new signing turned down Real Madrid contract|website=Lancashire Telegraph|date=3 February 2015 }} He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 loss to Bury in the Football League Trophy on 1 September 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34047910|title=Accrington 1-2 Bury|work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=1 September 2015 |access-date=5 January 2016 }} On 18 January 2016, Bruna signed a pre-contract with Canadian club Ottawa Fury which would have him depart at the end of the season.{{cite web|title=Former Liverpool Midfielder and Real Madrid Youth Product Joins Fury FC|url=http://www.ottawafuryfc.com/news/2016/01/18/former-liverpool-midfielder-and-real-madrid-youth-product-joins-fury-fc|publisher=ottawafuryfc.com|access-date=18 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120200338/http://www.ottawafuryfc.com/news/2016/01/18/former-liverpool-midfielder-and-real-madrid-youth-product-joins-fury-fc|archive-date=20 January 2016}}
=Ottawa Fury=
On 15 February 2016, Bruna was offered contracts with both Accrington and Ottawa; he decided to join Ottawa, for an undisclosed fee .{{cite web|title=Gerardo Bruna, l'énigmatique surdoué|url=http://www.expressottawa.ca/Sports/Soccer/2016-02-15/article-4436897/Gerardo-Bruna,-lenigmatique-surdoue/1|publisher=Express Ottawa|access-date=16 February 2016|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301052225/http://www.expressottawa.ca/Sports/Soccer/2016-02-15/article-4436897/Gerardo-Bruna,-lenigmatique-surdoue/1|archive-date=1 March 2016|url-status=dead}}
=Derry City=
On 5 February 2019, Bruna signed with League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City.{{cite web |title=Derry sign former Liverpool and Real Madrid man Bruna |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0205/1027678-derry-sign-former-liverpool-and-real-madrid-man-bruna/ |publisher=RTE |access-date=6 February 2019 |date=5 February 2019}} On 4 December 2020, Bruna announced his departure from the club after two seasons.{{cite web |title=Derry City: Gerardo Bruna becomes latest player to leave the Candystripes |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55195785 |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=30 December 2020 |date=4 December 2020}}
=Shelbourne=
In February 2021, Bruna signed for Shelbourne ahead of their first season back in the League of Ireland First Division having been relegated 3 months previously.{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/ex-derry-city-midfielder-gerardo-bruna-joins-shelbourne-3122647|title = Ex-Derry City midfielder Gerardo Bruna joins Shelbourne| date=3 February 2021 }} He suffered an Anterior cruciate ligament injury before the season started, which kept him out of action for the entire season meaning he never played a competitive game for the club.{{Cite web|url=https://dublingazette.com/sport/gaa-fixtures-dalymount-56423/|title = Dublin weekend previews Airtricity League|date = 2 July 2021}}
=Dungannon Swifts=
In September 2022, he signed for NIFL Premiership club Dungannon Swifts.{{cite news | url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/dungannon-swifts/dungannon-swifts-sign-former-real-madrid-and-liverpool-player-41989078.html | title=Dungannon Swifts sign former Real Madrid and Liverpool player | newspaper=Belfasttelegraph }}
International career
Bruna has represented both Argentina and Spain at youth level. In May 2008 he was a member of the Spain under-17 squad European Under-17 Football Championship in Turkey.{{cite web|title='The Boy Has Got Skills' – Liverpool's Gerardo Bruna|last=Tully|first=David|url=http://www.footballfancast.com/2009/12/football-blogs/boy-skills-liverpools-gerardo-bruna|publisher=FootballFanCast.com|access-date=26 February 2012|date=15 December 2009}} He made one appearance in the group stages as a second-half substitute in a 3–3 draw with France at the Mardan Sports Complex, Aksu, Antalya.{{cite web|last=Mizrahi|first=Yakir|title=France and Spain share six goals|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/fixturesresults/round=15030/match=302677/report=rp.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719034200/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/fixturesresults/round=15030/match=302677/report=rp.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 July 2012|publisher=UEFA|access-date=26 February 2012|date=7 May 2008}} Bruna represented the Argentina national under-20 football team at the 2009 Toulon tournament.{{cite web |url=http://www.festival-foot-espoirs.com/festival-foot-espoirs/match-festival-foot.php?&match=09 |title=Festival International "Espoirs" de Toulon et du Var |website=www.festival-foot-espoirs.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608114732/http://www.festival-foot-espoirs.com/festival-foot-espoirs/match-festival-foot.php?&match=09 |archive-date=8 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}
Personal life
Career statistics
{{updated|14 September 2022}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Club statistics | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Blackpool
|2011–12{{Soccerbase season|55881|2011|name=Gerardo Bruna|access-date=8 June 2015}} |1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| 2012–13{{Soccerbase season|55881|2012|name=Gerardo Bruna|access-date=8 June 2015}}
|Championship |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||
| Huesca
| title = Games played by Gerardo Bruna - BD Futbol | url = http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j202402.html?temp=2013-14 | publisher = BD Futbol | access-date = 8 June 2015}} |17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 1 | ||||
| Tranmere Rovers
|2014–15{{Soccerbase season|55881|2014|name=Gerardo Bruna|access-date=8 June 2015}} |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Whitehawk
|2014–15{{Cite web | title = Games played by Gerardo Bruna - Soccerway | url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/gerardo-alredo-bruna-blanco/196390/ | publisher = Soccerway | access-date = 8 June 2015}} |5 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1Appearance in FA Trophy | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Accrington Stanley
|League Two |6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | |||||
| 2015–16{{Soccerbase season|55881|2015|name=Gerardo Bruna|access-date=9 August 2015}}
|League Two |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1Appearance in Football League Trophy | 1 | 5 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 1 | |
| Ottawa Fury Academy
|2016 |PLSQ |3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="4"|Ottawa Fury
|2016 |NASL |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | ||||
| 2017
|26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 1 | ||||
| 2018
|United Soccer League |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Derry City
|2019 |League of Ireland Premier Division |26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 2 | |||
| 2020
|League of Ireland Premier Division |7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1Appearance in UEFA Europa League | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 2 | ||
| Shelbourne
|2021 |League of Ireland First Division |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Dungannon Swifts
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!106 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 109 | 6 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{UEFA player}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bruna, Gerardo}}
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Argentine men's footballers
Category:Spanish men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Mendoza, Argentina
Category:Argentine emigrants to Spain
Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers
Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Northern Ireland
Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada
Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Canada
Category:Expatriate men's association footballers in Northern Ireland
Category:Liverpool F.C. players
Category:Blackpool F.C. players
Category:SD Huesca footballers
Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players
Category:Whitehawk F.C. players
Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players
Category:Ottawa Fury FC players
Category:Derry City F.C. players
Category:Shelbourne F.C. players
Category:Dungannon Swifts F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Segunda División B players
Category:North American Soccer League (2011–2017) players
Category:USL Championship players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:NIFL Premiership players
Category:Argentina men's youth international footballers
Category:Spain men's youth international footballers
Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Ireland
Category:Expatriate men's association footballers in the Republic of Ireland
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Northern Ireland
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Ireland
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Canada